The Pistons put Milwaukee out of its misery by ending their series early . The Bucks were totally outclassed . You wonder if the good Senator , who owns the team , is wondering what happened to his investments. At the start of the season , everyone picked the Bucks as one of the fav to rule the East. They barely made the playoff and now this.

The 122-93 Game Five elimination of Milwaukee was our last TV 20 game of the year. It’s feels a little strange because our role in the excitement ends just as the playoff energy gets a big boost with round two right around the corner.

Milwaukee wasn’t likely to win the series under any scenario, but it was still the fourth quarter of Game Four that changed the dynamic. Milwaukee had blown out the Pistons in Game Three and had made up a 15-point deficit to tie Game Four at 80-all. The Pistons led, 87-86, with 4:19 left, when Chauncey Billups hit a three-pointer. Next time down the court the Pistons moved the ball brilliantly and Billups found Rip Hamilton alone in the left corner. Rip was just 2-12 on the night, missing from everywhere. But he drilled the three-pointer to make it 93-86 and they never looked back. Billups went 8-8 from the line in the final minutes and the series was over except for the inevitable Game Five victory.

We heard the rumors earlier this week, and now it's starting to look official:
Pistons assistant coach Sidney Lowe has agreed in principle to take the head coaching job at North Carolina State, replacing Herb Sendek.
Multiple sources told ESPN.com that Lowe informed Pistons GM Joe Dumars and coach Flip Saunders of his decision Thursday morning.
North Carolina [...]

The goal wasn't to beat the Bucks in the first round. That was just the first step. "We just took care of our business, and now we move on," Ben Wallace said. "We are playing for a bigger prize than that."

[Booth Newspapers]​

Pistons wait to see who's next
AUBURN HILLS -- The Detroit Pistons have taken on a Secretariat-like approach to games, paying as little attention as possible to what's going on around them while focusing on the finish line, which for them is winning a second NBA title in three seasons.

However, by sending the Milwaukee Bucks home for the summer with a series-clinching 122-93 beating on Wednesday, the Pistons now must sit, wait and, for a change, watch teams play for the right to face them.

A. SHERROD BLAKELY: Lowe to Raleigh ...
While Pistons assistant Sidney Lowe's decision to become the head coach at his alma mater (N C State) might have made some shake their heads in disbelief, his decision made a lot of sense.

[Need4Sheed.com]​

Very Superstitious
Many fans including myself have certain rituals or superstitions that they do when watching their favorite team play. I have even posted all the Sheedisms that I had noticed while watching Pistons games. Well the Pistons themselves have many rituals they do before games and WB20 put together a must see Pistons pre game video about the many superstitions that the Pistons players have.

[ESPN.com]​

​

Daily DimeJohn Hollinger: As a result of Rip's return to health and the Pistons' general sharpness, the Eastern Conference playoffs are nothing more than the Detroit Invitational. It's tough to come up with a single team in the East you would put money on to have a competitive series against the Pistons right now, much less beat them.

Just look at their so-called competition. New Jersey is barely squeezing past an Indiana team that has half its roster in casts; the Heat have their hands full with a feisty but modestly talented Chicago club; and the Cavs are a one-man band that can't possibly cope with Detroit's multitudinous maestros.

Marc Stein: I'm told the Pistons' starters simply believe that their greatest strength is their collective willpower. What they treasure most -- more than their defense or their unselfishness or having two Wallaces and Chauncey Billups in the clutch -- is the belief that they can overcome any outside force. Injury included.

[This page also contains one of the priceless Sheed pix. Just call him Ol' Dirty and be done with it.]

"We're definitely on a mission, and that's a lot different than last year," Hamilton said after scoring a playoff career-high 40 points Wednesday to help Detroit eliminate Milwaukee with a 122-93 victory in Game 5. "We have something to prove. We want to go out and get something, and the guys are focused to go out there and get it."

Pistons are focused on themselves
Since wrapping up their first-round series against Milwaukee on Wednesday, the Pistons have taken it somewhat easy. They had Thursday off and then had a light practice -- Prince called it "short and sweet" -- Friday and will practice again today.

[Detroit Free Press]​

NEXT? Pistons watch playoffs with great interest
A group of players planned an outing Friday night at Lucky's in Novi, where they could play video games and watch the Cavaliers vs. the Wizards in Game 6. The Pistons will play the Cavs, who won the series, four games to two. The second-round series starts Sunday.

"They (Pistons officials) basically told me, in a situation like that, your alma mater ... it's a once -in-a-lifetime deal. You have to accept it if it's right," Lowe recalled. "We talked about it, and felt that if they do offer me the job, it would be a good move on my part."

JUSTIN ROGERS: Full-Court Press
ESPN's humor columnist Bill Simmons says in his latest column that the only way the Pistons don't reach the NBA Finals is if catastrophe strikes; a recent article on VIBE magazine's website claims the Pistons are carrying the flag for hip hop culture in the NBA.

[Detroit Bad Boys]​

SUNDAY, SUNDAY, SUNDAY!
Make no mistake, the Pistons will have to play better than they did against Milwaukee in order to take the series. King James and the Bronettes have really stepped up their game since the playoffs began, dispatching of the high-scoring, "defense optional" Wizz kidzz in 6. But given the joy the Pistons seemed to take in shutting down the Cavs in 3 of their 4 regular season contests, I doubt motivation will be much of a factor for this one. Just in case we need a little push though, Varejao anyone?

AUBURN HILLS - When opponents probe for weaknesses on the Pistons, their bench becomes a convenient target. The Pistons starting lineup is so formidable, it's logical to deduce that the time to make a run on them is when Flip Saunders dips into his reserve corps. In the first round of the playoffs, Detroit's bench did everything possible to debunk that theory.

Have the Pistons become Hip Hop's team? If so, it's news to me, but that's the title of a new article in Vibe Magazine: "The Detroit Pistons: Hip Hop's Team Speaks Up"
"If you look at our team, we?re more like the real. The grind," said Shooting Guard Hamilton. "When you look at us, our braids, [...]

We're sure Detroit is thrilled that they're no longer on a title run, but are merely here to teach LeBron. Y'know, for the good of the world. If they were struggling for motivation, there it is.

[Need4Sheed.com]​

The Cleveland Cavaliers Want to Be the Detroit Pistons
The Cavs website is set up almost exactly like the Pistons.
The Cavs PA announcer is a Mason Wannabe, pay attention during the games.
They had a Break the World Record for Wig-Wearing day, just like the Pistons.
They have a Drum Squad just like the Pistons Drumline.
The Cavs had a Kid announce the starting lineups, just like the Pistons.
The Cavs have this Guy and his hair but the Pistons have this one.
The Cavs have this Kid and the Pistons have this one (video).

[Akron Beacon Journal]​

Suite series ahead for Cavs' Gilbert
Gilbert's business savvy and work ethic have put him in a unique position for the Eastern Conference semifinal between the Cavs and Pistons. He owns one franchise, and his subsidiary company, Rock Financial, is the presenting sponsor for the other.

How many owners boast luxury suites in both arenas where a series will be contested?

[Associated Press]​

Pistons Stand in LeBron James' Way
"Detroit will be a team that, in order to get to the promised land, we'll have to beat because they're going to be around a long time, especially for the first part of my career," James said Saturday.

[Channel 3000.com]​

NBA Playoff Preview - Detroit vs. Cleveland
PREDICTION: The Cavaliers took a big step when they advanced past the first round, but their run in the postseason ends here. The Pistons are on a mission, and they are just the team to show James that he is going to have to pay a huge price if he wants to go deep into the postseason. Detroit is just too strong for James and the Cavs.

[ESPN.com]​

Conference semifinals: Cavs vs. Pistons
Ben Wallace plays with an energy matched by few players in the league and uses his strength to keep bigger players away from the hoop and his quickness to stay in front of smaller players. Wallace is the best offensive rebounder in the NBA and looks to outlet to start the fastbreak. Offensively, he is horrible. He is limited to putbacks and finishing in transition. Let him shoot if you can. The Bucks showed some success with aggressive play in the paint but Zydrunas Ilgauskas does not set up as deep in the paint as the Bucks' big men, which should make Wallace's job easier.

[CBS Sportsline]​

Series: Pistons vs. Cavaliers
After graduating his first playoff exam, LeBron James' and the Cavs' next task is one killer mid-term. The defending conference champs, a team they made mad during the regular season due to physical play and an awful lot of jawing. Detroit is licking its chops over exerting revenge for what it perceives as insolence from an inferior, inexperienced rival. This one is juicy. Things that are personal always are.

[NBA.com]​

Detroit Pistons vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Having enjoyed a short recess after dispatching the Bucks in five games, the Detroit Pistons continue their journey for a third straight Finals appearance. Standing in their way is LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers, who used six games to send the Wizards on summer vacation. The Pistons claimed three of the four regular season meetings between the clubs. Game 1 is Sunday on ABC.

James is center of Pistons' defensive focus
It is not lost on the Pistons that James is the new face of the NBA. It is James -- more so now than Kobe Bryant or Shaquille O'Neal or Tim Duncan and for sure more than the Detroit Pistons -- who is driving the league's marketing bus.

And don't think for a minute that doesn't get that chip on the Pistons' shoulders throbbing intensely.

"We know it's LeBron's showcase," Chauncey Billups said. "We are coming off a series where we played three games on NBA-TV and now we're on ABC. That's not because of us. We're going to be ready for that. We've been looking forward to it."

Pistons focus on 'LeBron Rules'
AUBURN HILLS -- The Pistons are trying to prepare themselves mentally for something they have no control over -- how the referees officiate LeBron James. To say he has been afforded superstar status with the officials would be an understatement -- just ask the Washington Wizards.

"You try to prepare for that, but you can do all the preparing you want, but once you get to that point and the reality hits -- it's different," Chauncey Billups said. "We have an emotional team and we will voice that when we feel it's necessary. That's not going to change. We just have to play our game and let everything else take care of itself."

Jones still smiling over game-winning shot
"He's a very likable dude," Pistons point guard Chauncey Billups said. "He competes, but he has fun and doesn't take nothing too serious. I pull for him and want him to do good, unless he's playing us. When he hit that shot, I was happy for him especially because he didn't get a chance to play much in that series.

"I pull for him, and I think a lot of people do. He's flashy and flamboyant, and I like that."

Lowe takes over as N.C. State coach
RALEIGH, N.C. -- North Carolina State hired Detroit Pistons assistant Sidney Lowe as its head basketball coach Saturday, bringing the former Wolfpack player back to the school he led to a national championship under Jim Valvano.

[Detroit Free Press]​

Pistons vs. LeBron
"We know that LeBron, it's his showcase, pretty much," Pistons point guard Chauncey Billups said. "We come off playing three games on NBA-TV, now we're on ABC. It isn't because of us. So we're going to be ready for that. We've been looking forward to it."

The Pistons will try and ignore the James circus. Or better yet, they'll use it as motivation. That ball started rolling in Round 1, when, as Billups pointed out, James regularly pushed the Pistons onto NBA-TV so the bigger networks could air Cavaliers games.

Pistons-Cavaliers Scouting Report
The Pistons have home-court advantage, a big edge in playoff experience, more veteran leaders and a more balanced attack. They also know how to play defense. Ask a lot of people, and they'll say the Cavaliers have the officials on their side. What ref wants to makes the call against James that sends him out of the playoffs? Edge: Pistons

"Usually in that situation, it's easier to play then because when you get the ball, you don't have a choice. You know you've gotta shoot the ball. You don't have any decisions to make."

DREW SHARP: LeBron has all the cards
There's no logical reason for James to sign a five-year contract extension when he can after July 1. Wait it out. When you're making reportedly more than $175 million in endorsements, does it really matter if the Cavs can offer you $13 million more than any other team?

He averaged a team-high 19 points against a Cleveland team that Detroit beat in three out of four meetings this season. He also led the way by picking up the first of seven technical fouls called against Detroit in their four games against Cleveland.

Wallace's greatest impact, however, might have been his ability to rattle some of Cleveland's top players.

Pistons-Cavaliers matchup
Forwards: Cleveland never figured out how to defend Rasheed Wallace, who led the Pistons in scoring (19 points per game) against Cleveland this season. Tayshaun Prince doesn't score much against Cleveland, in part because he expends so much energy guarding LeBron James, who leads all postseason scorers with a 35.7 points per game average. For Cleveland to have some frontcourt success, they'll also need a solid performance from Drew Gooden.

JUSTIN ROGERS: Full-Court PressMay 6, Oakland Press: Evans believes Cleveland is easier to defend because it is so reliant on LeBron James. Washington, which swept the season series with Detroit, has three major scoring threats in Gilbert Arenas, Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison.

"In my opinion, I'd rather play a team like the Cavaliers, who have one dominant scorer," he said. "Our team is so good defensively, we can make it even more difficult for one scorer as opposed to three or four scorers."

The Cavalier from YAYsports! (who, ahem, is a fan of the Cavs) has his first thoughts up on the Detroit-Cleveland series that's about to kick off in roughly 14 hours, including a personal note written to Joe Dumars.

First round is in the books, and the Detroit Pistons start their Eastern Conference Semifinal series this Sunday against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Looking around the headlines, previews and analysis around the internet, everyone is expecting the defending East champions to throw two or three men at LeBron James to stop him and make that the focal point of their defense. While they certainly will be paying close attention to the phenom kid, they won’t waste all their energy there. And it’s not hard to figure that out. Just look at their history.

You know how YAYsports! provided that blueprint for a Cleveland upset to us below? Well, we did the same thing for them, outlining Detroit's five keys to winning the series against the Cavs: "Welcome to the LeBron Show!" (Also featuring the two-time defending Eastern Conference Champion Detroit Pistons)

1st Quarter
11:44 — Game starts with a steal by Ben. That's a nice sign, since we've been calling for greater intensity for him throughtout the playoffs.
11:33 — Sheed with the baby hook on the other end for the first Piston bucket, game on.
10:30 — Gooden with the O-board and putback over Ben; the Pistons [...]

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP) — When LeBron James had the ball, he saw Detroit Pistons defenders to his left, to his right, and straight ahead.

The Pistons also had James seeing triple at the other end of the court.

Detroit made 10 3-pointers in the first half — one shy of an NBA playoff record — to open up a 21-point lead at halftime before cruising to a 113-86 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday in Game 1 of their second-round series.

It didn’t take long for the Detroit Pistons to show why they are a number one seed as they dominated the Cleveland Cavaliers 113-86 to take a 1-0 series lead. The Cleveland Cavaliers started out quickly, but it didn’t last very long as the Pistons were outstanding in shooting the ball. The Pistons hit a team record 15 out of 22 from three point land.

After sweating it out in six thrilling games against the Wizards, the Cleveland LeBrons, after the first few minutes, were never in this one today. They dropped a squeaker in Game One against the Pistons, 113-86. Here’s a short list of things that the Cavaliers game against the Pistons did not have in common with the games they played against Washington:

• It was not close
• It was not particularly exciting
• It was not completely devoid of defense

But that is typical of this humble, laconic forward with the long arms that seem to sway like a wooden puppet's from his thin, high shoulders. He led Detroit in scoring Sunday, and yet you easily could have overlooked it. In fact, when that time-out was called after his dagger three-pointer, you saw everything you needed to see about No. 22.

MICHAEL ROSENBERG: Big Ben's many contributions are key [via Ohio.com]
Look at what Wallace did in one stretch: He helped out on a James slash to the basket, stopping a potential layup; grabbed a defensive rebound; blocked a Drew Gooden shot; grabbed another defensive rebound; set a pick that opened up Prince for an easy score; drew a charge that the officials didn't call; grabbed an offensive rebound and passed out to Rip Hamilton for a wide-open shot; and then stepped into the lane to stop Donyell Marshall, who was forced to pass out to LeBron ... at which time Ben ran out to the three-point line and got a hand in James' face, which may have caused James to miss the shot.

Time elapsed: less than five minutes.

[Akron Beacon Journal]​

Pistons embarass Cavs in series opener
When tip-off came, it had been roughly 36 hours since the Cavs touched down at Hopkins International Airport after their playoff victory over the Washington Wizards.

They breathed a heavy sigh and started to prepare for the ol' Dee-troit Basketball, as they refer to it in these parts, grinding physical half-court defense making for ugly, low-scoring affairs.

Instead they got the nuevo style, the sharp-shooting, high-scoring and gassing version. The Pistons averaged 107 points in their first-round series with the Milwaukee Bucks, hinting at the offensive flair that they developed during the season. Sunday, they played one of their best offensive games in their extensive playoff history, and it meant curtains for the wine and gold.

TERRY PLUTO: Brown must restore Cavs' confidence
James says he's the leader, and he wants to lead. Staring at Tayshaun Prince taking jumpers from the corner is not leading. Nor is refusing to help crash the boards. It's very possible James was just plain tired after playing 53 minutes in Friday's overtime victory in Washington. He could have been exhausted - even at age 21. But his teammates look to James, and Brown needs to get that message across that James can be the key to the defense. After the game, James said, "You play defense for 22 or 23 seconds and a guy hits a 3 at the end of the shot clock." Brown needs to break out the tape and show James that wasn't what happened. The defense broke down early and often.

[Yahoo! Sports]​

Easy as ABC?
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – With each Detroit Pistons three-point bomb, each blocked Cleveland Cavaliers shot, the number of witnesses dwindled, televisions across America clicking off in favor of lawn mowing, light bulb changing or sock drawer sorting – heck, anything. It was exactly what ABC and the NBA deserved.

The Detroit Pistons welcomed the Cavs to the second round of the NBA playoffs — with a collective punch in the mouth.

JUSTIN ROGERS: Full-Court Press
Here is how Rasheed responded when he was asked his opinion on Ben Wallace winning Defensive Player of the Year again. Note, for those who can't figure it out immediately, he was joking, listen to the audio.

Rasheed Wallace: “Aww they gave that sh*t to him again. Aw God, that’s felonious, FE-LON-IOUS. He was not even in my top three. Honestly, they only gave it to him because we the Pistons…”

On ESPN News' postgame coverage of the Pistons' blowout of the Cavaliers in Game 1, Ric Bucher of ESPN.com is flabbergasted at having to answer how Cleveland can actually win this series.

Host: In light of what you saw today, in light of what the Cavs saw today, what hope can they hang their hat on that they're still in this series realistically -- and that they can put a scare into the Pistons and make this series eventually close?

Bucher: You've got to be kidding me. I... I... Am I supposed to make something up?

AP NEWSBREAK: Wallace wins NBA's top defensive award
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP) — Detroit center Ben Wallace won the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year award for the fourth time in five years, a person within the Pistons organization told The Associated Press on Sunday.

The source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the award has not been announced, said Wallace will be presented with the award Tuesday night before Game 2 of the second-round series against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

MARTY BURNS: Pistons-Cavs breakdown
Slow down LeBron. That's the key for any team that faces the Cavs. With their team defense and vast experience, the Pistons should be able to do the trick. Ben Wallace, Rasheed Wallace and Tayshaun Prince give Detroit three long-armed defenders who know how to cover the floor and work with each other to take away LeBron's drives to the basket. Otherwise, the Pistons have little to fear defensively.

Lights out
The Cavaliers, coming off a tough six-game series against Washington, won't be as emotionally spent. They won't be as leg-weary. And if the Pistons shoot this good again, well, it's going to be a major story.

But in terms of establishing yourself in a series and setting the bar in terms of what level of play the opponent much reach in order to compete, it doesn't get any more emphatic than the Pistons' 113-86 romp Sunday in Game 1 of an Eastern Conference semifinal.

Playing strong team defense seems to work pretty darned well, both in containing James and his Cavaliers teammates.

Game report
The Pistons' slogan, "Goin' to work," flashed on the scoreboard before the game. It has become their symbol -- and in stark contrast to the Lions, who filed a grievance against the coaching staff for making them work too hard in their offseason workouts.

Notebook: Pistons on fire
The Pistons hit 10 of 11 three-point attempts in the first half. They made a franchise playoff-record 15 for the game, hitting 68.2 percent of them.

"At one point in time, we were 14-for-16. That's like unbelievable," Richard Hamilton said. "We looked at our free-throw percentage and were 14-for-16 from the free-throw line, too. I mean, we just took what they gave us. We swung the ball, got wide-open shots."

That has to start with James, the man everybody wants to be the next Michael Jordan without earning it. By the way, Jordan played both ends of the floor. If he really wants to win, James will have to learn to play defense. Defense isn't about God-given talent. It's about desire. Just ask Ben Wallace, who won his fourth defensive player of the year award.

Sadly, James actually thought his team played good defense.

Ben gets fourth award
For the fourth time in five years, Wallace, the Pistons' defensive specialist, has earned the honor. He will be presented with the award before Tuesday night's game against Cleveland at The Palace.

After 36 hours straight of Lebron-praise, it is time for Game 1 of the Pistons v. Cavs series. Rumor has it this one is going to be played on actual television, rather than the local cable access channel. That's what happens when you have an intriguing opponent. (Come on, admit it — [...]

If you're feeling particularly cruel, head over to Cleveland.com and gloat while watching a "sad" musical photo montage of today's game from a Cavs' perspective. (Watch it now, though, because judging from the generic URL, I won't be surprised if there will be a brand new video after Game 2.) (Link via YAYsports!)

Alan Dail of Cavsworld came up for Sunday's game between the Pistons and Cavs. From 17 rows above the court, he was in prime position to take over 100 really great pictures, which he was gracious enough to send me a heads up about. He has some great shots in and around the Palace, [...]

The Pistons were totally on their game Sunday at the Palace. Everything was working for the boys in Red White and Blue. Tayshaun was phenomenal on the offensive end, scoring a Pistons high 24 points and he was just as good defensively making it difficult for Lebron to get his shot off cleanly. Rip added 20, Chauncey had 14, Sheed had 10 and Ben was The Defensive Player of The Year, and it showed, blocking 4 shots with 11 rebounds.

After winning game 6 against the Wizards friday night, LeBron James told reporters that Cleveland was not ready for the pistons because they were focused exclusively on beating the wizards, but that they had a day to get ready. Clearly 1 day to prepare wasn't enough time as the Pistons won by 27 points, 113-86, in a game that wasn't as close as it's final score.

Tayshaun Prince said "It was up to us to jump out early after the first round they had. I think they had some tired legs."

The Cavs just ran into a barrage yesterday. It was like someone sent a blind kid walking into another kid who was doing the windmill of fists. Detroit got any shot they wanted, and then they made damn near every one of them.

I actually didn’t feel like the Pistons were that good defensively. They gave up some easy baskets, and Cleveland was able to shoot an okay percentage. But their easy buckets were way fewer and far between than the Pistons easy buckets.

I almost respect Pistons fans, bandwagon jumpers though they are. They are some of the most passionate in sport. The organization is solid. Joe Dumars is a class act and Flip Saunders is from Cuyahoga Heights.

But it’s the downright insanity that separates the Pistonistas from other NBA fans. Pistons win the Championship, they riot and burn down the city. Tigers lose the Championship, they riot and burn down the city. They go ape every time the Lions win on Thanksgiving and every time the Red Wings score a goal, the throw squids on the ice.

It's a laugher
Cavaliers have no answers for red-hot pistons
By Dana Gauruder

Rasheed Wallace jumped off his chair, grinning from ear to ear and waving a towel. Everyone else wearing a Pistons warmup jersey followed his lead and swarmed the court.

Then came the celebratory gestures - a chest bump from Maurice Evans, a high-five from Chauncey Billups. A parade of other well-wishers followed as Lindsey Hunter made his way toward the huddle during a 20-second timeout.

"For a minute, I really couldn't tell if it was Lindsey or Chauncey out there," Ben Wallace said after the Pistons clubbed Cleveland, 113-86, in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference semifinal playoff series. "He did a great job and brought a lot of energy to the game. He kept the wheels turning."

Ben Wallace came up so short on two free-throw attempts Sunday, even he had to laugh about it. But he didn't fall shy of one of his biggest goals - winning another Defensive Player of the Year award.

The Pistons have called a news conference for this afternoon to announce that Wallace has won the league's premier defensive award for the fourth time in five seasons. He will be presented with the trophy prior to Game 2 on Tuesday night.

It's peculiar, when you think about it. Tayshaun Prince is so understated in so many ways.

He is soft-spoken. Always calm.

There is an inexorably sound quality to his game. Prince doesn't take bad shots, and he boxes out and moves his feet defensively.

Wasted movement? There is none. Every step Prince takes has purpose.

Yet there is this thunderbolt aspect to Tayshaun Prince, and it seems to provide the Pistons with their most revealing signature moments.

Not the ones responsible for the Pistons' 113-86 rout Sunday over LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. That result was mostly about the Pistons' astounding shooting from 3-point range, which was an aberration. It's not why the Pistons are, well, the Pistons. ​

Rasheed Wallace's reaction after learning that Ben Wallace would be named the Defensive Player of the Year for the fourth time:
"They gave that to him again?" Rasheed Wallace said, loud enough so that Ben Wallace could hear as he exited the locker room. "Ah, dog, that's felonious. It's felonious. Fe-lone-e-us. He was not even in [...]

We admit, sometimes it gets confusing telling the difference between the real Ben Wallace and the Inflatable Ben Wallace. Luckily, Farlane put together a handy guide to help you out: Official Ben Wallace ID Chart

Was the Pistons' blow-out win over the Cavs on Sunday really an indication of how easy this series is going to be? Maybe, maybe not. The Pistons did win three out of four games against the Cavs in the regular season, holding Cleveland under 80 points in each win. But Sunday's game was a bit [...]

Have you ever notice that Cleveland Cavalier's center Zydrunas Ilgauskas doesn't really look like he belongs in the NBA. I mean if saw him on the street and didn't know who he was, would you actually think he was making millions in the NBA?